Fort Knox is a gem of the local economy and its new Gem­stone program is aimed at building greater skills among its civilian workforce, Jim Iacocca says.

Iacocca, CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance, updated area business leaders Tuesday on several recent developments at Fort Knox during the monthly meeting of the Radcliff Small Business Alliance.

He said the U.S. Army Human Re­sources Command headquartered on post recently created the Gemstone program, which is an in-house professional development program intended to improve the Army civilian workforce.

Through the program, civil service employees strengthen their leadership abilities and skills through interpersonal skills, oral communication, written communication, creativity and innovation, strategic thinking, conflict management, leveraging diversity, team building, decisiveness, problem solving, partnering, and influencing/negotiating, and other transformations stimulating commitment to personal and professional development, according to information from the U.S. Army.

Iacocca also said the Department of Defense is considering acquiring Kentuc­ky subterranean mines that could be used as training facilities, which could come under the arm of Fort Knox depending on their vicinity. Iacocca did not name the mines being considered.

He said Fort Knox also is looking to build a new water tower, but the plan is on hold because the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration disagree on the type of radar that needs to be at Godman Airfield. Iacocca said Godman could lose one-third of its approachability if a new water tower is built on Fort Knox without proper radar.

He also referenced recent recruiting efforts the Army is pursuing, including using social media and e-gaming to reach younger audiences.

The Knox Regional Development Alliance is a private organization established to promote and support Fort Knox’s mission. It is directed by a local board and maintains an office in Radcliff.